Methylation and expression patterns of miRNA and cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus genes in the offspring of rats dams submitted to acid folic deficient and supplemented diets

• Grant number: 14/14160-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2014
• End date: February 28, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nutrition - Nutrition Biochemistry
• Principal Investigator: Helio Vannucchi
• Grantee: Helio Vannucchi
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Fernanda Aparecida Domenici ; Paula Lumy Takeuchi

Abstract

Folic acid participates in several metabolic pathways including controlling homocysteine synthesis and degradation and provides methyl groups for methylation reactions particularly those associated with the epigenetic regulation. Because presenting this activity folic acid can influence significantly the degree of reprogramming gene methylation during embryonic period and it may lead to the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The present study aims to investigate by real-time PCR the effects of supplementation and deficiency of folic acid through the maternal diet on methylation and expression of genes and miRNAs involved with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in the offspring of rats subjected to diets deficient and supplemented with this vitamin B. After establishing the methylation and expression patterns the proteins encoded by genes expressed differentially will be identified and quantified. It is expected that the results of this study may provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in fetal epigenetic reprogramming of genes involved in cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes demonstrating the importance of adequate supply of folic acid during embryonic/fetal development. (AU)